It is a Thursday morning.

Almost two weeks have

elapsed since Charles

submitted his entry into the

mathematics competition.

The telephone rang.

Elizabeth answered it.

"Top of the morning to you!"

said Elizabeth cheerfully.

"And the rest of the day to you!"

said an unfamiliar voice.

"My name is Professor Zwiebel.

I'm responsible for the mathematics competition."

"Ah yes!" said Elizabeth.

"Right you are, Professor. My husband Charles thoroughly

enjoyed the challenge."

"I'm pleased to hear it,"

began Professor Zwiebel.

"Only the finest mathematical minds would have been capable

of completing the work.

Would your good husband be

available at the moment?"

"Most certainly, Professor!"

said Elizabeth.

"If you'll kindly hold the line

I'll rouse him for you.

Charlie! Telephone!"

Charles took the receiver.

"Hello, Charles speaking."

"A very good morning to you, Charles," said the Professor.

"Professor Zwiebel here - I'm responsible for the mathematics

competition. I'm telephoning

to inform you you've won!

Hearty congratulations!"

"Splendid news!

Thank you kindly for telephoning," said Charles.

"My absolute pleasure,"

said the professor.

"You've done tremendously well.

Would you be interested in some further work in this field?"

"Certainly," replied Charles.

"What manner of work did

you have in mind?"

"You would be working on the

Entscheidungsproblem,"

explained the professor.

"Ah, I see," said Charles.

"That's quite unique territory."

"Quite so," said the professor.

"Perhaps you would consider popping down to London

to discuss this in person.

I'm at one four nine

Akhurst Street."

"One four nine!"

exclaimed Charles.

"The squares of one, two, three!

Would this coming Thursday

be agreeable, professor?"

"Most certainly,"

said the professor.

"I'll expect you then.

Cheerio for now!"

That Thursday, Charles and Elizabeth drove their Cord

motor-car down to the

railway station to catch

the train to London.

"I've been meaning to ask,"

began Elizabeth,

"what exactly is the

Entscheidungsproblem?"

"Well," started Charles, "the

Entscheidungsproblem

asks for an algorithm that takes as input a statement of a first order logic and answers yes or

no according to whether the statement is universally valid."

"I see," said Elizabeth.

"That's all very, umm..."

"Overwhelming?" asked Charles.

"It is a bit. It took me years

to come to terms with it.

Ah, here's our train!"

Charles and Elizabeth boarded the train bound for London.

"Care for some Earl Grey, Charlie?" asked Elizabeth.

"Certainly, thank you,"

replied Charles.

"Jolly good," said Charles.

"Did you happen to bring-"

"The cards, perchance?"

asked Elizabeth.

"Naturally. Three thirteen

rummy good with you?"

"Perfect," said Charles.

"Let's dance!"



Charles and Elizabeth

began to play.

Charles and Elizabeth played

round after round of three thirteen rummy, with

Elizabeth winning every hand.

Charles, convinced he can win at least one round, played a card

with an air of self-confidence.

"Right," stated Charles.

"that should secure me a win!"

"I'm afraid not, Charlie,"

said Elizabeth dismissively.

"Right, another one to me!"

"Oh, blast it!"

cursed Charles.

"Charlie!"

admonished Elizabeth,

"Watch that potty-mouth!"